Social Feeds

2009 BMW M3: The Worlds Greatest All Around Car

I took our long-term 2009 BMW M3 sedan out again yesterday, a long afternoon drive and then home, and more than ever I’m convinced this is the single finest all-around automobile in the world. Sure, myriad other cars have their talents—the scream and Gucci-chic of a Ferrari, the awesome power of the ZR1, the try-and-stop-me capability of a Land Rover, the elegance and comfort of a big Benz. But probably no other car combines so many virtues—speed, handling, good looks, roominess, practicality—into one package. And few cars of any kind are executed so well. Driving the M3 is an absolutely blissful experience, flooding your brain with dopamine as if you were arriving to courtside seats at the Lakers game with Jennifer Connelly on your arm.

First, the M3 fits my six-foot frame perfectly, as if it had been hand-cut and sewn just for me by a Savile Row tailor for automobiles. A few tweaks of the seat controls (our test car sports the standard black cloth with leather trim), a shift of the steering wheel, and I’m as well-positioned and locked-in as if I were strapped into a formula race car. The huge aluminum dead pedal provides a perfect brace for my left foot. A swell of lumbar support in the driver’s seat pushes in on my lower back just-so. The beefy, leather M Sport steering wheel is just the right diameter, and it feels great in my hands. The paddle shifters for the dual-clutch transmission move with the wheel—as they should—and sit just behind the rim, an effortless reach for your fingertips. Optional carbon leather interior trim ($500) adds a nice touch of drama to the businesslike cockpit. I still don’t adore the iDrive system, but it’s simpler to use than before and the new high-res display is terrific.

The engine lights off with a push of a starter button. Man, what a motor. The 32-valve V-8 boasts variable valve timing, a throttle butterfly for each cylinder, and an 8400-rpm redline. If 100 horsepower per liter is a magic number, the sign of a true athlete, then the M3’s mill is a gold medalist: the 4.0-liter V-8 makes 414 naturally aspirated horsepower. Mated to it (for an additional $2900) is one of the world’s best transmissions: a seven-speed, DSG auto-clutch manual that’s both smooth when pulling off the line and almost seamless when you’re cracking off upshifts and downshifts.The powertrain alone would wow any driver, but the M3 is also gifted with a chassis that borders on the sublime. Standard Electronic Damping Control (with Comfort, Normal, and Sport modes) constantly adjusts the shocks, and you feel it in a ride that seems to glide over the asphalt. The chassis tuning is almost magical: Handling is always ultra-precise and controlled, yet the ride doesn’t beat you up, even in Sport mode. The steering is power-assisted (a variable ratio that changes with vehicle speed), but you’d never know it. It’s that smooth and direct. Gobs of grib on tap, too.

The result is a sedan for all reasons. With its practical shape—four doors and a decent trunk—and driving civility, the M3 can easily serve as a family car for transporting the wife and kids to the Saturday play date. Then you—heh heh—can sneak off and, in the same car, have a driving experience on your favorite mountain passes that’ll leave you feeling like you’ve just competed in a Grand Prix. The M3 is that sensational, from the bawl and thrust of its engine to the electric-switch responsiveness of the paddle shifters to the grip and precision of its magic-carpet suspension.My favorite part is the optional M Drive button (part of the $3250 Technology package), which allows you to tailor everything from engine responsiveness to EDC mode to how much the Dynamic Stability Control system steps in. Set everything up to your liking using iDrive, then a single push of the M button summons all your preselected settings. It’s like finding a $20 bill in your jeans. You’re driving along in standard mode, and the M3 is just blowing you away with how responsive and quick and sure-footed it is, and you’re perfectly happy, and then you remember, “Wait! I still haven’t used M Drive!” Then you push the little M button on the wheel and the M3 instantly becomes . . . even faster and more electrifying. It’s a quick-change act that never fails to thrill.

For all of the above reasons, and more,; I vote the M3 the world’s finest all-around car. Sure, our long-term Nissan GT-R is dazzling to drive, and much quicker, but it’s nowhere near as livable as the M3, a machine that’s plenty quick already. At $54,850 base and $68,270 as-tested, our M3 sedan delivers the driving grins of sports cars costing three or more times as much, plus a versatility that enables it to play the role of The Only Car in the Family. It looks great, too, I might add—clean and sleek but bulging with muscle (tastefully, not via rear wings and giant hood scoops).I can’t think of another automobile that does so many things so well—and in such a right-sized package. If you put an F1 car and a premium sedan in a blender, the M3 would be the cocktail that pours out. Mmmm, nothing else like it. A toast then: To the BMW M3, the greatest all-around car in the world.photos by Brian Vance and William Walker

As a current owner of a 1998 BMW M3 4-door sedan, I am now in the market for a new car. I am glad to see BMW finally brought back the 4-door sedan for the M3. I would love to get this new M3 sedan with the double clutch transmission but the $70k price is more than I really want to spend. I would consider the 2010 335i sedan if only it had the new 7-speed double clutch but unfortunately BMW decided to not include it for the sedan. Why would they not at least include that option? Is there something mechanically different between the coupe and the sedan? I will instead consider the 2010 Audi S4 which has the double clutch transmission option. BMW should take note of this.

Gentleman, I must say I agree with most of your posts above, however, I must confirm that "There is nothing better then an M3" I've driven many a cars in my life the M3 takes the cake. I have a 2002 M3 with all the bells. I did not get it new, no way. It had 28,000 KM and was 2 years old in 2004 when I payed 56K Canadian for it. Meanwhile it has traveled coast to coast in Canada and never let me down. I must admit I fell in love this May with the Z4 in Munich, however, would have problems to part with my M3, besides, I hate to be insulted by the dealer for the trade in value of my M3 ~smiles~ so I will keep on driving my M3.Happy Motoring,Rolf-Dieter

I have to say that my M3 is a very nice car. I have had it about a year now; have a little over 10K on her. I have the advantage of living in Germany for a few years so I get to use the car the way it was intended to just about every day going to work—it is also surprisingly apt in the rain. That said, not sure if I would call it the best overall car in the world. I would argue a 335 sport package or 535 with active role stabilization is a better buy. Take away the beautiful sound of that formula 1 motor and you are left trying to justify the $20k premium. So you give up slightly better brakes, a swollen steering wheel, and that nice sound—it really is a nice sounding motor—for better fuel economy and more torque. The argument made for buying a 550 over a 535 [550 not worth the premium over the 535] is the same one I am making for the M3 over the 335. I just don’t think the cost-benefit analysis is favorable. Maybe I am a bit jaded because I know that a VW GTI will pull up right next to me as I rest on the governor. This happened on A70 one Saturday afternoon. Frustrated but unable to refrain from looking over my left shoulder as the driver of the other vehicle costing $40K less than mine--also with nice steering and fun to drive around the curves—glided by me with the look of “I paid $40K less than you” on his face. I called Munich about this and they told me it was not possible—funny, I had the same thought as it was happening. The GTI was not tuned (Driver turned out to be someone I knew for a number of years). A nice incline allowed me to change lanes and overtake the GTI, but it did little to ease the feeling I had inside. That’s when the whole cost-benefit pondering began to plague me. The Germans have the option of receiving a code from BMW to ensure this type of thing does not happen, but as an American, keep looking for those VWs and get out the way—else be left blinkered.

Really, really??? I do trust st. antoine, but a bimmer? i know that everybody loves bmws and that they are the best freaken' thing in the world, but come on. their style is well, unoriginal their interiors are sometimes lacking and they drink fuel like irishmen(although i am partly Irish) why not something interesting like an audi, say the a4 or a5/s5 or if fuel dosen't matter a benz c63 amg. also bimmer wins and triumphs are now becoming old news

Anyone having anything negative to say about the latest M3 has obviously not driven one. I've had the honor of driving the M3 coupe twice, once with the manual transmission and another time with the *unbelievable* DCT. Not sure about the sedan, but the coupe sure is the finest automobile I've ever driven. And yes, I have driven the Cadillac - no comparison.

AllaboutFord: Its funny how you're bashing German cars' reliability when "Ford" is a part of your name. Ford, along with most other american cars are among the worst reliable cars in the world. I don't care what JD Power and Associates says, or what Consumer Reports says, or whoever else. They don't drive the cars for 5 years, they drive them for a year at most and base all of their quality surveys on one year of ownership. It takes several years to build a quality reputation with consumers, of which the big 3 have a long way to go. Sorry to turn this into a foreign vs. domestic conversation, but if BMW's quality is so bad, why are they still selling cars and making money? You can't say that about the Big 3, whose quality is "supposedly" rivaling the Japanese. Don't even try to counter with the UAW contracts, retiree costs, or point the finger at anything else. The bottom line comes down to the fact that their quality has sucked for the past 30 years, and it will take a long, long time to reverse that.

This is not the worlds greatest car.Only thing that would make it that is if BMW had good reliability but it doesn't because its German. No offense but Germany and all the other Euro countries have been known to make unreliable cars. But this is still a nice car tho. I would rather have a Lexus tho.

I own the 2009 M3 DCMT and the 2009 CTS-V with a manual transmission. I also own a 2008 M3 cab, which is nice for posing on a sunny day. The M3 and V are both incredible cars. As for depreciation, neither car is an investment--just something to consume and enjoy. The M3 has a screeming engine that loves to rev and handling is spot-on. The V also has an incredible engine-with great power across its rev-range. The torque is incredible and it will leave the M3 when accelerating at speed without a downshift. The V is not just a straigt line performer. This is a caddy that zigs! The two cars have different characteristics that make them fun to drive. I don't worry about badge -just performance. Pick either one (if you must pick)and you won't go wrong.FYI--I do track days at Grattan and Gingerman using a 2003 S2000 with a comptech supercharger. The M and the Caddy are both to heavy for real track usage without modifications. The OEM M3 brakes will not hold-up to track usage and the Caddy can turn but would probably consume the tires in a few sessions.

I'm sure the M3 is wonderful to drive. After an earlier M3 and 540 6-speed though,I've taken BMW's off my list because of the high maintenance/reliability problems, and with the M3, the terrible gas mileage. I think enthusiast magazines should at least mention cars long term quality performance even though you only test them for a short period. There's lots of data out there to include some advice to readers about overall quality. I love the way Volkswagons drive too, but won't own one because of the poor long term quality and horrific dealer service.

I don't believe there is a way, other than to explicitly say. "We're an advertising body for BMW" to relate that in fact these writers have sold their souls to drive high-priced superfluous automobiles. How can a $70k diminutive M3 possibly be the "best" all around car? I would argue quite convincingly that mid-western Americans are absolutely right - that a 1/2 ton super crew pickup is in fact the best "all-around" automobile. To prove it just take your "4 member family" to the beach, ski resort, hell to the mall in your M-3, then to do the same trip in an F-150 super crew, and allow the wife & kids to spend 1/10 of the savings on that trip. Then let everyone that went vote. There is no doubt the F-150 will win such a test hands down. Oh and the M-3 out accelerates & out handles the F-150? not after I drive over it, and receive nary scratch!! A BMW really just serves one purpose, to get men that are work-a-holics (or whose parents are or were) the attention of superficial woman that would otherwise not give them the time of day, any other critique is naive.

Value after 4 years?? That's the best you can think of?? F1, obviously you have looked at the Nurburgring records lately. Anyhow, I would like to apologize to St Antoine if I came off too harsh. I respect your experience as a driver and I gave it some thought, I see what your saying. I don't care for the looks of the M3, but that doesn't erase it's capabilities.

Ellas-your spelling makes you sound like one of those "three teeth" guys that must build those CTS-V's. Years don't pass "buy" maybe you should take some of that money you spent on your M3 and take a JR college course for basic grammar.As far as the cars... The M3 is awesome and I won't argue with it's greatness. I have driven both the CTS-V and the M3 and both have their pro's and con's. The caddy may not have the prestige the BMW has these days but, to hear a caddy compared to a BMW or beat a BMW in a comparison (cts-v vs m5) is great. I can remember just a few years back when Caddy was the laughing stock of the luxury automobile market and now it's beating BMW's.That's all I have to say about that.If I had the money for either I'd take the Caddy. For now I will stick with my '09 G8 GT which is awesome and for 30 grand who can argue with that!?

Good car but not the best all around. I think the the 335i sedan is a better all around car than the M3. Its cheaper, lighter, gets better gas mileage, and can be tuned to be quicker than the M3. Now if only GM would drop the LS3 into the CTS then maybe it would be the best all around car.

Its safe to say that if you are not a fan of the M3 you have never driven one! if you are asking about the fuel consumption , you will never own one! And if you are comparing it to a CTS, then you dont care about warranty, you dont care that a guy with three teeth built your car and you dont care about resale value! the M3 only gets better with every year that goes buy, the E46 M3 is a perfect example. Holds its value and is still one of the best 6 cylinder engines of all time. For your money the M3 will keep you happy for not only the first drive but for years to come.

you can't stop. First and foremost once you really drive a BMW, it changes what you expect from a car. It's nice Caddy can make something that matches the spec's, but what is that car worth in 4 years? Forget maintenance being included, look at how much American cars depreciate these days. BMW is one of the few brands that has a long history of reliable high mileage vehicles that are still fun to drive! Take an E30 around the track a few times and tell me you don't want one!As for the SMG bits - I'm a purist and require a clutch! E39 M5 is my favorite due to the lines, and Dinan has created an M3 eater with their "adjustments" to a 335i. BMW doesn't make cars for everyone (Ford/GM/MB/Honda/Toyota *** so they can focus on what matters to the performance driver - there is truth in "Ultimate driving machine".

People are being too harsh on the CTS-V. Forget the fact that it's American (that alone should erase all your prejudices), forget the fact that its name was unheard of ten years ago, and forget the fact that it carries a logo that is not quite as prestigious as the blue-and-white propeller that the M3 arrogantly sports. Forget also that the company that builds it is having some "minor financial difficulties" as we speak and that it may or may not exist in ten years. What you will see is a Schwarzenegger version of the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year: a car that trumps the M3's bigger brother in performance and overall value and that, as of now, is unmatched at Nurburgring (within his league, of course). Hey, it just outdid the BMW M5 in a Motor Trend comparison test!It may not be as neatly built and put together as any car from the German premium manufacturer, and surely it will not get you as many envious looks as a BMW could. It may not even be as pleasing to the eye as the M3 to SOME people, and it surely may not have the overall prestige/top-quality feeling of the M3, but it is more spacious, more powerful, aesthetically bolder, and it enjoys a lot of great technological features. I may understand why some of you do consider the BMW M3 the greatest all-around car in the world, but do not treat the CTS-V as if it were a poor, undesirable wannabe that somehow became undeservedly famous. If I know one thing for sure is that a version of the 2008 MT Car of the Year that went at it with the M5 and beat it is no wannabe.

Umm, I have driven plenty of other brands ( and done some racing) and buy the M3 because I like it better! I think the CTS is ugly as hell and like everything else GM has done it is nothing but rediculous HP that allows it to "beat" the M3. Kudos to them, though, for the handling and braking they have dialed in to this car. Ashame GM won't be able to build any more of them now that the gov't will have them building 40 mpg yugo's!Anyway, you may well beat me to the next stoplight, but I will be glad to go at it on the track and see what happens?If I feel the need to beat everyone at green lights I will buy a Viper, a GT-R or a 911GT2. How did the CTS even get in this discussion? One guys opinion (shared by many), Caddy folks need to let it go, go pick on Audi or Porsche!

I've been saying this for a while! I love this car! One day I'm going to buy one. I don't know when. But one day, this thing is going to be a classic. Its going to be the only M3 to use a V8! Think about that. God I love this car.

RS4 is slower and gets worse gas mileage, has an impractically small backseat unlike the M3. Its only strong advantage is AWD which is useful only in states which actually have winter.As for the IS-F. Its cheaper, sounds great, and yes has more technology in that the navigation screen can be touched. Other than that it is ugly as Sin and has constantly lost to the M3 in multiple comparison tests for simply not being as good. But I'm sure you've reviewed all three cars extensively in both real world and test track conditions to determine that this article is ridiculous.. So link us to your review. Thanks!P.S. BMW Charges nothing for maintenance for 4 years /50,000 miles. When shopping for a car and comparing these three together, its a big deal.

"2009 BMW M3: The World’s Greatest All-Around Car"No. Wait. Hell No.Talk about sucking off BMW. Gesh.Good car yes, but it has many problems.I would much rather have a IS-F or even the RS4, Which have many advantages over the m3, IS-F being more reliable, more luxury & technology.Why would they even make a thread about the M3 being the best car....

I'm the first to agree the M3 is an awesome car, but I don't understand why you all are bashing the CTS-V. The last time I checked, the CTS-V beats the M3 around Nurburgring and in the 1/4 mile. The CTS-V is a bigger car and yet it posts quicker times at the same price.

@nardbird and f1fanI agree with both of you. All of the cars we're talking about are amazing, and each offer something different to the driver. My point, and I think several others are trying to make the same one, is that this is all opinion. However, you have to view Mr. St. Antoine's opinion in a different light due to his experience. I doubt any of us have had the pleasure of driving an M3, C63 AMG, GTR, CTS-V and a Ferrari in the same year (as I'm sure he has). This isn't some random blog from a dude who is creating all of his opinions on performance numbers, articles and hearsay. You all have the right to disagree, but to argue that another car is better all around because it is faster in a straight line, or has more HP, is narrow-minded.Me, I'll take his word for it until I've driven the top M3 competition, such as the CTS-V and 63 AMG. I've already driven the M3 and the IS-F, and the M3 has a distinct edge in refinement and handling, although the Lexus was a beast.

Nardbird thank you for pointing out that the cts-v is faster then the m3. as if it hasn't been mentioned. everyone on this blog is well aware that the cts-v is better in the numbers dept. I've just turned 17. only had my first car a month and i can tell you that driving pleasure is more important then burning gas trying to get the best launch off the green light. oh, and the best all around car, does not have to be the fastest. so in that respect, the best all around car does not have to be the fastest. nor does being faster then the m3 make the cts-v an all around car.

f1fan, I would like to challenge you by asking you have you driven the CTS V series?? If all you've ever owned were BMW's,then of course they would be the best to you. I liked the last gen M3 way better. St. Antoine is entitled to his opinion and so is everyone else. Have fun in your M3 and when you get smoked by someone in the Cadillac CTS V series we shall see which vehicle is "the best all around". Who knows that person might just be me.....

chrismd7, I agree completely with your first statement.this is a professional's opinion.obviously this is a blog, people are going to say whatever they feel like.personally. i have never driven any of these cars. probably never will.but one thing i would like to point out, bmw bashers, st antoine never made reference to quantity. he claims the bmw m3 is the best all around car because its over all package. its quality.f1fan, thanks for pointing out the vette (super car) engine needed to give the cts-v the advantage it needed to even be mentioned in this blog today. that's great to hear you have been fortunate enough to own such great cars.personally. I would agree with St. Antoine. BMW M3 is the best all around car.yes, i have never driven it, nor never will. but that's my opinion, don't bother telling me i'm wrong. to be completely honest, id actually opt for the 335xi, rwd simply wouldn't cut it during our canadian winter.

So Cadillac has to throw a 500 something HP Vette engine (as usual) in the CTS to out perform the 414 hp M3? I agree with another poster, how many of you have driven either, esp on the track? I have owned the last 3 generations of M3 and drove the new one on the Nurburgring F1 track for 3 days, 6 months before its US launch.This car is by far the best yet and it gets such rave reviews because it is that good. This is from professionals that have driven other cars in its class. 0-60 in 4.1, 12.5 1/4 mi, 0.98 skidpad. Also check out the slalom times. Point is there are plenty of good choices at all price ranges out there, but very few give you the total pkg like the M3. BMW is about balance, handling etc not just 0-60. If you prefer the CTS good for you, but you sound foolish talking down what is and has been the leader in this class since the E30.

ALl this "this is better!", "No! THIS is better!" talk. We all like what we like. This is clearly an opinion article. This guy doesn't represent the entire world. Theres CTS-V lovers/bashers, M3 lovers/bashers, all saying the same good/bad things about eachother. You are ALL correct, whether you contradict eachother or not. Enjoy your ride.I'd buy the CTS-V. BMW M5 is #2.

It'd be childish to call everything that rolls of the line at BMW "the best car ever," like some fanboys do, but then again, one has to wonder why there are so many people in love with the brand. Marketing and image don't cut it, the actual car has to be damn good and drive wonderfully. Which it does. I agree with Art's opinion fully on the M3, but like him, don't agree with all of BMW's line-up.BTW, you BMW nuts will love this poster if they ever see it. I saw it at an independent BMW shop, and it pictured every M3 lined up next to each other, from the E30 to the E92, and was under a caption that read, "It's one thing to agree across the board. It's another to agree across time." So true, and that's why the M3 is the best all-round car.

@Chrismd7 understand. St Antoine was giving his opinion. I'm just giving my opinion that I don't agree. I have seen the M3 coupe and sedan and while the coupe looks better, I'm not impressed with either. I would rather take a used 6 series if I had to have a BMW. Maybe St. Antoine is right, but saying " Oh, I want a BMW because is the best car ever" is so cliche'.

Ru kidding me? Did someone just make a WWII/Nazi reference as a reason for not liking a German car? You have got to be kidding me. That's like saying that any African-American would be ashamed of themselves for driving a car manufactured by the coutry that enslaved them for centuries. Let's try to keep our politics out of this for once.

As many of you know, Top Gear rates this car as uncool, because it's driven by "c***s", I believe the term here is "yuppie". I love this M3 but it did make me think a little bit, can I get just as good of a car or better without being the same as a, well you know! For me it's the CTS-V that comes to mind, the "c***s" like to look down on the CTS-V, the underdog if you will.I prefer the snide, pompus looks you get from M3 owners, the "your trash for driving that american pos" comments as I drive by. But I don't have to see these looks or read their lips for very long, because their M3's can't keep up or even catch me.

I love all the comments from people who have never driven these cars. This article was an opinion of a professional who has driven and tested all of the cars you're mentioning. You have to at least respect his opinion. We all have our brand (and country) biases, but try to keep an open mind...lolAlso, two of you mentioned the S4...are you kidding? I'm a fan of Audi, but the S4 is the equivalent of a 335i, not an M3. Wait for the upcoming RS5 (and eventually new RS4) before you compare any A class Audi with the new M3.